This blog is an attempt to keep a record of my travels. Not that I travel that frequently, but as the years add up I realize that there will come a time when I will no longer be able to move around as I am still able to do now. When that time comes, I would like to be able to recall the trips and share the memories with my grandkids.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Fort Delaware - Pea Patch Island

I stayed with my 80-year old aunt in Delmar Maryland for a couple of weeks. She is a member of an association of retired persons; their group organizes trips to different places in-state as well as out-of-state. I joined their trip to Fort Delaware in Pea Patch Island.

Pea Patch is a small (about 1.6 km long) island located in the mid-channel of the Delaware River near its entrance into Delaware Bay. From Delmar, we had to drive to Delaware City from where we would take the ferry to the island. On the island is Fort Delaware which was used by the Union during the American Civil War as a prison for Confederate prisoners of war. Today the fort and the island make up the Fort Delaware State Park and encompasses a living history museum; the island also provides a wetlands stop for migratory birds.

The ferry ride was very short, just ½ mile. When we reached the island dock , it was a short walk to the jitney that was waiting to take us to the fortress.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by costumed guides who stayed in character; they provided tours and hands-on history lessons to visitors. It was very informative and I quite enjoyed being able to glimpse how they lived in the past.

Fort Delaware has its share of ghost stories. Visitors can join the ghost tours and paranormal investigations being conducted at night. Not for me though; I was glad we went there on a bright sunny day.